Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line two 20 cm (8-inch) round cake pans with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients alternating with milk, mixing just until combined. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
5. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely on a wire rack.
6. For the truffle filling, heat the heavy cream until steaming and pour over the chopped chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Add butter and mix until fully incorporated. Chill slightly until spreadable.
7. For the raspberry compote, combine raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the berries break down and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5–7 minutes. Cool completely.
8. Assemble the cake: place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread the chocolate truffle ganache evenly, then layer the raspberry compote over it. Top with the second cake layer.
9. For the glaze, heat the cream until steaming, pour over the chopped chocolate, and stir until smooth. Pour the glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides naturally.
10. Decorate with fresh raspberries and chocolate shavings or dust lightly with cocoa powder. Chill briefly before slicing for clean cuts.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Chill/Set Time: 1 hour
Total Time: About 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Difficulty: Medium

Variations & Substitutions

• Use frozen raspberries if fresh are unavailable; thaw before making compote.
• Substitute dark chocolate for semi-sweet chocolate for a richer flavor.
• Add a splash of raspberry liqueur to the compote for an adult twist.
• Replace the chocolate truffle filling with chocolate mousse for a lighter texture.

Serving Suggestions